Van Gisbergen Sweeps Chicago, Ties Major NASCAR Milestone
Chicago, IL — Shane van Gisbergen delivered a stunning performance at the Grant Park 165, securing victory in both the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup races this weekend. His win on the Chicago Street Course marked a historic achievement, as he became the second driver to sweep both NASCAR top-tier races from pole position, joining Kyle Busch, who accomplished the feat in July 2016 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Taking the checkered flag under caution, van Gisbergen’s victory came after Cody Ware’s incident at the Turn 6 tire barrier forced a late caution. "What an amazing weekend for me," said van Gisbergen, driving the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. This marks his second Cup win of the season and the third of his career.
Race Highlights:
- Van Gisbergen regained the lead on lap 60, overtaking Chase Briscoe and maintained control despite two subsequent cautions.
- Ty Gibbs finished second, matching his career-best performance. Tyler Reddick, who restarted 15th, finished third despite running short on time to overtake Gibbs.
Gibbs commented on the final restart dynamics, emphasizing the disadvantage of starting on the outside lane. “It really depends on the restart zone… the inside guy wins almost every time,” he noted.
Incidents and Challenges:
The race faced a significant delay after an eight-car pileup on lap 3, initiated by Carson Hocevar’s collision that blocked the track for nearly 15 minutes. Brad Keselowski, who suffered damage from the crash, expressed frustration at the narrow street circuit conditions.
Michael McDowell initially led for the first 31 laps before suffering a throttle issue that forced him to the garage, losing 22 laps in the process. Series leader William Byron faced a mechanical failure just one lap in, resulting in a 40th-place finish and narrowing his point lead over Chase Elliott to just 13 points.
In-Season Challenge Updates:
Ty Dillon emerged victorious in the In-Season Challenge against Bubba Wallace, while John Hunter Nemechek’s finish eliminated Chase Elliott from contention. Dillon will advance to face Alex Bowman in the third round at Sonoma Raceway.
As rain clouds loomed overhead, race strategies shifted but ultimately did not affect outcomes, unlike previous years. Van Gisbergen expressed gratitude towards his team and sponsors, particularly emphasizing the significance of WeatherTech’s home race.
Full Results:
- Shane van Gisbergen (No. 88 Trackhouse Racing)
- Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing)
The Chicago Street Course continues to provide thrilling challenges for drivers, with its narrow layout and unpredictable weather adding to the excitement of the NASCAR circuit.
